A disastrous international window in October pushed Armenia to the brink, as they must now win both of their remaining UEFA European Championship qualifiers (ECQ), whilst also hoping for some results elsewhere go their way, if they’re to make their inaugural appearance at a major tournament. Unfortunately for Oleksandr Petrakov’s men, those fixtures will be against the two highest ranked sides in the group, Wales and Croatia. But the Armenians can certainly take heart from their superb performance in Cardiff to win the reverse fixture 4-2 in June.
They failed to convert that victory into further progress, going winless in their following four fixtures (D1, L3), including a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Group D whipping boys Latvia last month. While that disappointment came on the road, it’s at home where they have let themselves down a little, losing both of their prior ECQs against opponents above them in the group, albeit each by a one-goal margin.
Wales will be keen to add their name to that list, as their form went the opposite way since losing to Armenia and group leaders Turkey earlier this year. Rob Page’s men have won both ECQs since, including “one of the best performances” the boss has seen to beat Croatia 2-1 in Cardiff last month. Their destiny is now back in their own hands, with the Dragons just needing to better Croatia’s results to reach a third consecutive major tournament, and a third consecutive Euros finals appearance.
Page has been sure to stress that the Croatia performance will “count for nothing” if they fall short here, although even if Wales fail to claim one of the two automatic places from Group D, they’ll have the play-offs to fall back on in March. But as Wales have lost just one of their last five ECQs on the road (W2, D2), they ought to be confident, and another win would set up a blockbuster clash with Turkey in front of the Red Wall next week.
Players to watch: Armenia’s Grant-Leon Ranos may have been restricted to mere minutes of first team football at Borussia Monchengladbach this season, but he would have happy memories of the reverse fixture, having scored twice. Wales’ Harry Wilson also struck a brace in his last international appearance, marking his 50th cap in style to see off Croatia.
Hot stat: Wales kept a first half clean sheet in each of their last five internationals.
